US Forces To Withdraw From Afghanistan By 11 Sept, Biden; Taleban Regards Violation Of Doha Accord

M Ashraf Siddiqui

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15/04/2021

Doha, 15 April 2021 (NYT/Taleban)

President Biden, frustrated in his efforts to end America’s “Forever War” a decade ago, announced on Wednesday a Sept. 11 deadline for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan after 20 years, a move that immediately triggered similar action among the country’s NATO allies.

While a complete withdrawal has long been seen as inevitable, it is likely to lead to an expansion of the Taliban that could overwhelm the U.S.-backed government in Kabul, despite assurances by intelligence agencies that the withdrawal can be done without precipitating the kind of violent, entropic instability that led to the 2001 attacks on America.

“We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan hoping to create the ideal conditions for our withdrawal, expecting a different result,” Mr. Biden said.

Mr. Biden’s spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, told reporters at the White House on Wednesday that Mr. Biden had consulted more than one of his predecessors before making his decision. (A person with direct knowledge of the situation later said Mr. Biden reached out to Barack Obama and George W. Bush).

Taleban spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Naeem has issued a statement in response to US President announcement today on US forces complete withdrawal from Afghanistan. 'The recent announcement by the American President about withdrawing all forces from Afghanistan, no military solution to the Afghan problem, not returning to war with Taliban, not staying there forever, withdrawal not conditions-based, Doha agreement holding importance and meaning, and withdrawal in line with it, suggests that American officials have understood the Afghan situation to an extent and the efforts of warmongering circles have failed.

But as the withdrawal of forces is being delayed by several months and will be completed before September, we would like to declare the following:

- This decision is a clear violation of the Doha Agreement and non-compliance with its commitments.

- As this agreement was signed in the presence of United Nations and representatives of numerous world countries and organizations, and is currently being breached by America, it is imperative that all countries and organizations that were witnesses to the signing of this agreement exert pressure on America to implement its commitments and withdraw all forces from Afghanistan by the specified date.

- Despite the agreement and commitments, extending the ten-day six thousand prisoner release process to six months in the initial phase, followed by not releasing remaining prisoners in a three month period after the start of intra-Afghan negotiations, failing to terminate blacklists, committing over twelve hundred violations and finally delaying the withdrawal date of forces by several months, all makes evident to the world that America cannot be trusted nor is it committed to its pledges and promises.

- All sides should understand that the Islamic Emirate has so far complied with the agreement exceptionally well, has implemented it and considered it the sole solution to the conflict. Now as the agreement is being breached by America, it in principle opens the way for the Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate to take every necessary countermeasure, hence the American side will be held responsible for all future consequences, and not the Islamic Emirate.

- The Islamic Emirate urges America and all occupying countries to stop making excuses for prolonging the war and to withdraw all their forces from Afghanistan immediately.

- The Islamic Emirate will under no circumstance ever relent on complete independence and establishment of a pure Islamic system, and remains committed to finding a peaceful solution to the Afghan problem following the complete and certain end of occupation.

Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reports that Pakistan supports the principle of responsible US troops withdrawal from Afghanistan in coordination with Afghan stakeholders.

Pakistan army's official news agency ISPR reported today that General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in a meeting with Mrs Angela Ageler, US Charge d’ Affairs to Pakistan welcomed President Biden’s announcement of withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan by September 2021.

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